Solar PV Analysis of Pharr, United States
Pharr, Texas, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 26.1748 latitude and -98.187 longitude, this location receives ample sunlight to support consistent solar PV production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy output in Pharr varies across seasons, with summer being the most productive period. During summer months, a solar PV system can generate an impressive 7.16 kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, producing 5.85 kWh/day, while autumn yields 5.43 kWh/day. Winter, though less productive, still manages a respectable 3.96 kWh/day per kW installed.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Pharr, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 23-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Peak Production Periods
The ideal times for solar energy generation in Pharr are during the summer months, typically from June to August. These months offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in peak energy production. Spring and early autumn also provide excellent conditions for solar power generation.
Environmental Considerations
While Pharr's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Dust and pollen: The region's dry climate can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.
- Occasional severe weather: Though infrequent, hurricanes and tropical storms can pose a risk to solar installations. Ensuring proper mounting and using high-quality, weather-resistant equipment can help protect against these events.
By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Pharr can maintain high levels of efficiency and productivity throughout the year.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 4253 locations across the United States. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in the United States by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Pharr
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.1748, Longitude: -98.187 (Pharr, United States), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 23° South in Pharr, United States
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pharr, United States (Lat/Long 26.1748, -98.187) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 23° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Pharr, United States
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Pharr, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 23° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° South in Summer | 31° South in Autumn | 42° South in Winter | 19° South in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Pharr, United States
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Pharr, United States.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Pharr, United States
The topography around Pharr, Texas, is predominantly flat and low-lying. This area is part of the Rio Grande Valley, which is characterized by its expansive plains and gentle slopes. The terrain is mostly composed of alluvial deposits from the Rio Grande River, resulting in fertile soil that has been extensively used for agriculture.
The landscape around Pharr is generally very level, with elevations ranging from about 50 to 100 feet above sea level. There are no significant hills or mountains in the immediate vicinity. The area is part of a larger region known as the Gulf Coastal Plain, which extends along the Gulf of Mexico.
To the east of Pharr, the land gradually slopes towards the coast, becoming even flatter as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico. To the west, the terrain remains relatively flat for many miles before it starts to rise slightly as it transitions into the South Texas Plains region.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors make the region around Pharr potentially attractive for solar energy development:
- The flat terrain is ideal for solar farms, as it requires minimal land preparation and allows for easy installation of solar panels.
- The area receives abundant sunshine throughout the year, with an average of about 225 sunny days annually.
- There are vast stretches of open land in the surrounding rural areas that could potentially be utilized for solar installations.
Specific locations that might be particularly well-suited for large-scale solar PV projects include:
- Agricultural lands to the north and west of Pharr that are less productive or fallow
- Open areas between Pharr and neighboring cities like McAllen or Edinburg
- Undeveloped land to the south, closer to the US-Mexico border
However, it's important to note that any solar development would need to consider factors such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and potential environmental impacts. Additionally, some of the most suitable land may currently be used for agriculture, which could create competition for land use.
United States solar PV Stats as a country
United States ranks 2nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 95,209 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of United States's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 26th in the world). Each year United States is generating 289 Watts from solar PV per capita (United States ranks 15th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United States?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United States. These include federal tax credits, state and local rebates, net metering policies, and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Additionally, many states have enacted legislation that requires utilities to purchase a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources such as solar.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United States? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 25th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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